RPM International (NYSE:RPM) Q2 2026 Earnings Call January 08, 2026 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsMatthew Schlarb - VP of Investor Relations and SustainabilityFrank Sullivan - Chair and CEOJoshua Spector - Executive Director of Chemicals Equity ResearchDavid Begleiter - Managing DirectorMichael Laroche - Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting OfficerRussell Gordon - VP and CFOVincent Andrews - Managing DirectorJohn Roberts - Managing DirectorMichael Sison - Managing DirectorConference Call Partic ...

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong stock market experienced a decline, with the Hang Seng Index falling by 0.79% and the Hang Seng Tech Index dropping by 1.76% [1] Market Performance - The Hong Kong stock market closed with the Hang Seng Index down 0.79% and the Hang Seng Tech Index down 1.76% [1] - The Hong Kong Tech ETF (159751) decreased by 1.99%, while the Hang Seng Hong Kong Stock Connect ETF (159318) fell by 0.49% [1] Sector Performance - The telecommunications equipment sector showed the highest gains, while the container and packaging, as well as building products sectors, experienced the largest declines [1] Individual Stock Movements - Notable gainers included: - Innovent Biologics up 7.81% - Kelun-Bio up 6.26% - China National Pharmaceutical Group up 5.78% - Weichai Power up 4.49% - Hansoh Pharmaceutical up 4.21% [1] - Significant decliners included: - Times Electric down 12.15% - Lion Group Holdings down 20.29% [1] - Other notable gainers: - Spring Medical up 14.04% - 3SBio up 11.27% [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates that Resolution 1, which involves reviewing the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025, will be approved by shareholders based on proxy votes received prior to the AGM [6][7] - The preliminary second quarter results announced in October reflect strong performance in the deck, rail, and accessory segment, indicating positive financial trends [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on realizing substantial cost and revenue synergies from the integration with ASIC, which is expected to enhance performance across various business lines [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company acknowledges the dynamic nature of the building products industry and is poised to drive long-term growth and success within this market [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The board emphasizes the importance of executing strategic growth plans and engaging constructively with shareholders to enhance long-term shareholder value [5][21] - The company is committed to accountability and transparency in its operations and governance, particularly in light of recent voting outcomes [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management recognizes the need for continued efforts to deliver on promises to shareholders and is focused on taking the right steps to drive shareholder value [20] - The board has engaged extensively with shareholders over the past months to understand their feedback and will consider next steps accordingly [21] Other Important Information - The company will confirm the final outcomes of the resolutions after the conclusion of the meeting, particularly regarding the remuneration report and the election of directors [9][10][12][15] - Ernst & Young LLP is deemed to be reappointed as the company's external auditors until the next AGM [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are there any other items of business or proposals from shareholders? - The Company Secretary confirmed that there were no additional items of business or proposals made by shareholders or proxy holders [18] Question: What is the outcome of the resolutions regarding director elections? - It appears that Howard Hicks, Gary Hendrickson, and Jesse Singh have received shareholder support for election, while Rada Rodriguez, PJ Davis, and the Chairperson may not secure sufficient support for reelection [10][21] Question: How will the board address the feedback from shareholders regarding the remuneration report? - The board and remuneration committee will engage with shareholders to understand feedback and consider next steps where appropriate [9][12][15]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales grew 11% organically year over year, totaling $455 million in Q3 2025 [4][8] - EBITDA increased 16% to $122 million, with margins expanding 120 basis points to 26.8% [4][10] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $94 million, with year-to-date repurchases reaching $135 million [4][11] - The company raised its dividend by 22% and refreshed its share buyback program to $500 million [4][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The non-residential market remains positive, while the residential market continues to experience softness [9] - Core growth reflects higher realization of tariff-related price increases implemented in April [9] - Incremental demand of about $8 million was shipped due to customers ordering ahead of a pricing action in mid-September [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Dodge Momentum Index, Architectural Billing Index, and Construction Backlogs are tracked as key indicators for future non-residential construction spending [15][19] - The market outlook for 2026 is expected to resemble that of 2025, with low growth anticipated [5][26] - The company is over-indexed to stable segments within non-residential construction, particularly education and healthcare [24][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on leveraging internal growth initiatives and competitive advantages in product portfolio and market positioning [6][30] - Plans to sharpen focus on driving organic growth into adjacent categories while maintaining a premier pure play water business in North America [30] - The company aims to exploit competitive advantages in specification, supply chains, and go-to-market capabilities [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised full-year estimates for growth, profitability, and cash flow, projecting core sales growth of approximately 8% for the full year [31] - Tariff costs for 2025 are now expected to be approximately $50 million, slightly higher than previous estimates [33] - The company remains confident in its ability to navigate the tariff environment and maintain price-cost positivity [33][74] Other Important Information - The company completed its U.S. pension plan termination, eliminating approximately $200 million in liabilities [11][12] - Sustainability initiatives have advanced, including delivering 1.8 billion gallons of filtered drinking water and eliminating the need for 14.6 billion single-use plastic bottles [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any meaningful divergence in growth rates across legacy Zurn Elkay product categories? - Management noted that almost all core categories are experiencing solid unit growth, with no significant changes expected as they head into Q4 [38] Question: Update on the reception of Elkay Pro Filtration and market opportunity with LIV EZ line? - The Elkay Pro Filtration system has seen strong uptake, and the LIV EZ line is expected to grow nicely, though it is not anticipated to be a major pillar of the commercial drinking water offering [40][42] Question: Clarification on volume expectations and capital allocation priorities? - Management indicated that Q4 growth is expected to be equal to Q3 momentum, with a focus on maintaining a steady repurchase strategy while generating significant free cash flow [50][56] Question: Insights on the M&A funnel and aspirations for residential drinking water? - The M&A funnel has seen modest growth, with no significant changes in valuations. The company does not have a high appetite for entering residential filtration but sees the LIV EZ as an extension of existing offerings [60][62] Question: Consistent strong margin results and future expectations? - Management expressed confidence that the current margin levels represent a new baseline, with expectations of 30% to 35% incrementals on volume in the long term [71]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong stock market showed slight movements with the Hang Seng Index and Hang Seng Tech Index both increasing by 0.02% at midday, indicating a stable market environment [1] Market Performance - The Hong Kong Technology ETF (159751) decreased by 0.17% - The Hang Seng Hong Kong Stock Connect ETF (159318) fell by 0.14% [1] Sector Performance - The water and industrial group sectors experienced the highest gains - The construction products and personal care products sectors faced the largest declines [1] Individual Stock Movements - Bilibili-W saw a significant increase of 5.92% - Sanhua Intelligent Control rose by 5.63% - Mongol Mining dropped by 6.68% - China State Construction International fell by 7.51% - Qinhuangdao Port Co. surged by 15.38% - Fuyao Glass Industry Group increased by 11.37% [1]

Core Insights - The A-share market experienced a strong upward trend, with the Shanghai Composite Index breaking through 3900 points, indicating a recovery in market volume [2][5][13] - Key sectors leading the market include metals and mining (+6.96%), coal (+3.00%), public utilities (+2.65%), and electronics (+2.21%), while sectors such as social services (-1.67%) and media internet (-1.23%) saw declines [2][8][14] - The overall market performance showed the Shanghai Composite Index up by 1.32%, Shenzhen Component Index up by 1.47%, and the ChiNext Index up by 0.73%, with total market turnover around 2.67 trillion yuan [2][8][14] Market Analysis - The market sentiment is strong as it is the first trading day after the National Day holiday, with upstream cyclical sectors like non-ferrous metals, steel, and coal leading the gains [8][14] - The technology sector, including solid-state batteries, humanoid robots, and semiconductors, also showed overall growth, driven by breakthroughs in controllable nuclear fusion technology [8][14] - The report highlights that the market is expected to maintain a "slow bull" trend, supported by ample micro liquidity and the influx of long-term capital [13][14] Sector Performance - The report identifies that the AI and robotics sectors are at a critical commercialization window, while traditional sectors face supply surplus issues, necessitating policy support for recovery [14] - The focus on technology growth includes attention to the "Double Innovation" and Hang Seng Technology Index, as well as sectors like lithium batteries, military industry, and chemicals [14] - Value sectors showing improving conditions include metals, gaming, and Hong Kong internet, with a focus on industries with rising revenue growth and gross margins [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - RPM International achieved record sales of nearly $7.4 billion for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, with record-adjusted EBIT up 3.7% from the prior year and record-adjusted earnings per share up 7.3% from the prior year of $5.30, achieving a record EBIT margin of 13.2% [13][14][15] - For the quarter ended May 31, 2025, sales grew 7.4% with adjusted EBIT at a record 2.9% and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.88, up 2.2% [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Construction Products Group experienced a 4% unit volume growth, while the Performance Coatings Group saw an 8% unit volume growth [28] - Record results in sales and earnings were reported for the Construction Products and Performance Coatings businesses, with record sales in the Consumer Group [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - 78% of RPM's revenues are generated in core North American markets, with another $1.1 billion or 14% in Europe, indicating significant growth potential in developing markets [19] - The company identified over $100 billion of growth potential across its product lines and businesses, with substantial opportunities in the Construction Products Group and Consumer Group [17][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - RPM is transitioning from the MAP 2025 Operating Improvement Program to a focus on growth, emphasizing the importance of embedding the learnings from MAP 2025 into the company culture [15][20] - The organizational structure has been streamlined to a three-group structure by merging the Specialty Products Group into the Performance Coatings Group, aiming for greater efficiency and growth opportunities [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of turnkey offerings in roofing and flooring as a competitive advantage in labor-constrained construction markets, along with a focus on repair and maintenance [26][27] - The outlook for the second quarter is expected to mirror the first quarter, with continued organic growth and improved bottom-line leverage [29] Other Important Information - RPM's Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.54 per share, marking the 52nd consecutive year of increased cash dividends to shareholders [30] - The company has made significant investments in growth, including hiring additional sales staff and increasing advertising expenses [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: What caused the increase in SG&A in the quarter? - The increase was attributed to extraordinary healthcare costs and deliberate investments in growth, including higher sales and advertising expenses [31] Question: Does RPM have a foundation? - RPM does not currently have a foundation but engages in charitable programs and has contributed over $3.5 million to community causes [32] Question: How is RPM embracing system selling? - RPM has expanded its offerings from high-performance materials to comprehensive wall systems, achieving significant revenue improvements [33] Question: Is RPM benefiting from reshoring of manufacturing? - Yes, RPM is benefiting from reshoring, particularly in the Performance Coatings Group, which manufactures high-performance products for various sectors [34]

Core Points - The Hong Kong stock market closed with the Hang Seng Index rising by 1.61% and the Hang Seng Tech Index increasing by 3.36% [1] - The Hong Kong Tech ETF (159751) rose by 3.17%, while the Hang Seng Hong Kong Stock Connect ETF (159318) increased by 1.11% [1] Sector Performance - Semiconductor products and equipment, as well as metals and mining sectors, showed significant gains [1] - Conversely, passenger airlines and construction products sectors experienced notable declines [1] Individual Stock Movements - Notable gainers included Zijin Mining International, which rose by 14.01%, and SMIC, which increased by 12.7% [1] - Other significant gainers included Kelun-Botai Bio (+9.44%), Lens Technology (+9.19%), Kuaishou-W (+8.57%), and WuXi AppTec (+7.15%) [1] - Decliners included NetDragon, which fell by 6.14%, and Haotian International Construction Investment, which dropped by 11.11% [1] - Dazhong Public Utilities saw a substantial increase of 18.35%, while MIRXES-B rose by 17.1% [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales increased by 7.4% to a record level, with a balance between organic and M&A growth [11] - Adjusted EBIT increased by 2.9% to a record, driven by volume growth and MAP 2025 initiatives, despite headwinds from higher raw material costs [11] - First quarter adjusted EPS reached a record $1.88, influenced by adjusted EBIT improvement, partially offset by increased interest expense from acquisition financing [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Construction Products Group sales increased to a record, driven by systems and turnkey roofing solutions, although offset by softness in Europe and disaster restoration business [12][13] - Performance Coatings Group achieved record sales with broad-based strength in turnkey flooring and protective coatings, with adjusted EBIT also reaching a record [14] - Consumer Group sales increased to a record due to successful integration of acquisitions, although DIY demand remained soft [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Growth was led by Europe, benefiting from acquisitions and favorable effects, while North America grew by 5.9% [12] - Emerging markets showed mixed performance, with strength in Africa and the Middle East driven by infrastructure projects [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a pivot to growth, investing in sales associates and support staff, while competitors are cutting costs [9][10] - Strategic M&A activities are being rebuilt, with a focus on core and adjacent markets [16] - The company is expanding its presence in new retail channels, including grocery and dollar stores, to capture additional market share [80] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects another quarter of record sales and adjusted EBIT, driven by systems and turnkey solutions and a focus on repair and maintenance [19][20] - The company anticipates continued challenges from economic uncertainty and inflation, but remains optimistic about growth investments [21][22] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining benefit programs and investing in growth despite a challenging environment [10][16] Other Important Information - The company returned $82 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the first quarter [16] - Inventory increases were driven by strategic purchases to mitigate future tariffs and ensure high service levels during plant consolidations [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for the year and impact of investments - Management indicated that investments for growth are delivering higher organic growth levels than the market, with deliberate spending on new hires and advertising [25][26] Question: Industry demand for the Consumer Group - Management believes the Consumer Group is outperforming the broader industry, with new product introductions helping to gain market share [29][30] Question: Details on increased marketing spend - The increase in marketing spend is primarily in advertising, focusing on social media and e-commerce, particularly in the cleaners category [34][35] Question: Impact of manufacturing inefficiencies - Management noted about $10 million of unfavorable conversion costs due to plant consolidations, which are expected to continue into the second quarter [37] Question: Backlog and growth in Construction Products and Performance Coatings - Management highlighted strong backlogs in reroofing and institutional projects, with aggressive expansion in sales forces contributing to growth [44][48] Question: Changes in guidance and challenges - Management cited challenging dynamics in gross profit margins and unexpected healthcare cost increases as reasons for adjusting guidance to the lower end of the range [55][56] Question: Pricing strategies in response to tariffs - Management acknowledged the difficulty in raising prices earlier due to the unpredictable nature of tariffs, but expects to implement higher prices in the upcoming quarters [59][60] Question: Working capital management and inventory purchases - Management indicated strategic inventory purchases were made to mitigate tariff impacts and ensure service levels during transitions [66] Question: Future growth expectations - Management does not view the current year as normal due to ongoing uncertainties, but anticipates that in a more stable environment, revenue growth should lead to higher earnings growth [108]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales increased by 7.4% to a record level, with a balance between organic and M&A growth [10] - Adjusted EBIT increased by 2.9% to a record, driven by volume growth and MAP 2025 initiatives, despite headwinds from higher raw material costs [10] - First quarter adjusted EPS reached a record $1.88, influenced by adjusted EBIT improvement, partially offset by increased interest expense from higher debt levels [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Construction Products Group sales reached a record, driven by systems and turnkey roofing solutions, although there was softness in Europe and disaster restoration business [11] - Performance Coatings Group achieved record sales with broad-based strength in turnkey flooring and protective coatings, with acquisitions contributing to the sales increase [12] - Consumer Group sales increased to a record due to successful integration of The Pink Stuff and ReadySeal acquisitions, despite soft DIY demand [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Growth was led by Europe, benefiting from acquisitions and favorable effects, while North America grew by 5.9% driven by systems and turnkey solutions [11] - Emerging markets showed mixed performance, with strength in Africa and the Middle East driven by infrastructure projects [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a pivot to growth, investing in sales associates and support staff, while competitors are cutting costs [8][9] - Strategic M&A activities are being rebuilt, with a focus on core and adjacent markets, as evidenced by the acquisition of ReadySeal [15] - The company is implementing pricing actions to recover from inflation impacts, particularly in metal packaging and niche products [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects another quarter of record sales and adjusted EBIT, driven by systems and turnkey solutions and a focus on repair and maintenance [18] - The company anticipates continued economic uncertainty, which may affect growth dynamics throughout the fiscal year [19] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining growth investments despite challenging market conditions [19] Other Important Information - The company returned $82 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the first quarter [15] - Inventory increases were driven by strategic purchases to mitigate future tariff impacts [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for the year and impact of investments - Management indicated that investments for growth are delivering higher organic growth levels than the market, with deliberate spending on new hires and advertising [22][23] Question: Industry demand for the Consumer Group - Management believes the Consumer Group is outperforming the broader industry, with new product introductions helping to gain market share [25] Question: Increased marketing spend in the Consumer Group - The increase in marketing spend is focused on social media and e-commerce, particularly in the cleaners category [28] Question: Impact of manufacturing inefficiencies - Management noted about $10 million of unfavorable conversion costs due to plant consolidations, which are expected to continue into the second quarter [31] Question: Organic growth in Construction Products Group and Performance Coatings Group - Management highlighted strong backlogs in roofing and aggressive sales force expansion as key drivers of growth in these segments [36] Question: Changes in guidance and profitability headwinds - Management cited challenging dynamics in gross profit margins and unexpected healthcare cost increases as reasons for adjusting guidance to the lower end [44] Question: Tariff impacts and mitigation strategies - Management discussed efforts to mitigate tariff impacts through production shifts and pricing agreements, with about half of the $90 million impact being offset [85] Question: M&A appetite and focus areas - Management expressed a strong appetite for M&A, particularly in Performance Coatings Group and Construction Products Group, while remaining open to opportunities in consumer and cleaning sectors [87]